Talented artist Esther Hart live-illustrated these colorful murals as our Thriving Communities teams from Bridgeport, Dayton, and LaFayette journeyed through their Strategy to Reality session, evolving their “distinctive plays” (strategies based on what sets them apart) for future pop-up events and strategy implementation.

According to an analysis published by the Economic Policy Institute, the arts, entertainment, and recreation industry is the second highest in job creation for every $1,000,000 invested. The ripple effect shows how even the intangible enjoyment of arts and culture bolsters the balance of our economy.

100% of participants in Thriving Communities community accelerator program receive $20K in seed funding from the Lyndhurst Foundation! The will now implement catalytic community projects, that they developed during the program. The creative placemaking program is designed to create asset-based community vibrancy and growth by leveraging arts and cultural assets.

People living in rural communities are used to living collaboratively, fulfilling multiple community roles, and investing time and energy to endeavors that improve quality of life for themselves and others. They are, in essence, social entrepreneurs. The challenge then lies in access to philanthropic contributions to incubate and advance this community work.

The diversity of the rural experience, and the interdependence that characterizes rural and small towns, is what makes them so powerful and so necessary. Rural places are the proving ground for our democracy. Though rural folks walk a hard line between disparity and abundance, proximity to one’s neighbors and institutions is a matter of course. It is where the rubber meets the road when it comes to building a lasting and distinctive quality of life.

Athens, TN; Decatur, TN; Fort Oglethorpe, GA; and Whitwell, TN have completed the 2018 Thriving Communities program of Thrive Regional Partnership. They are now eligible to apply for a $20,000 seed grant from the Lyndhurst Foundation to kickstart their incubated strategies for local, asset-based community vibrancy and growth.

Thrive is exploring workforce mobility options to improve the movement of people and products in the greater Chattanooga region. Join Back Roads Day on September 18th for a region-wide experiment in taking alternate routes or alternative transportation to work.